Blood Samples still needed The overall objectives of Dr. Q. Wang's laboratory at Center for Molecular Genetics, at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation are to discover key genes and molecular mechanisms for cardiovascular disease. Our laboratory is staffed with 8 investigators. The areas of our interest include cardiac arrhythmias, heart failure, congenital heart defects, and vascular anomalies. In collaboration with Dr. Driscoll at Mayo Clinic, we are studying Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome (KTS), which is a congenital vascular disorder. We have identified and characterized two chromosomal abnormalities associated with KTS. We have identified two candidate genes disrupted by these chromosomal abnormalities. Currently, we are pursuing mutational analysis with other KTS patients and families to verify whether the two candidate genes are the genes causing KTS. Finding the genes will eventually help us to develop accurate genetic testing and hopefully novel therapies for this syndrome. We appreciate the support and participation of all KTS patients and the family members in our research. We are still enrolling more KTS patients and family members. Your participation is greatly appreciated, and it is important to advance our understanding of KTS. The genetics project on KTS is currently supported by an NIH grant ($1.4 million), and Dr. Wang and Dr. Driscoll are Principal Investigators on this project. If you are interested in participating in our research, please contact VanGalder, Arlene S. at Dr. Driscoll's office at vangalder.arlene@mayo.edu

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